Sign language for babies: How to communicate with your baby? 

Babies develop their general motor and language comprehension skills before their speech skills. They often use signs to communicate their needs and wants before they start using words. Find out the benefits of baby sign language. By learning baby sign language, you can communicate with your little one early on and better comprehend their needs. Here’s how you can get started!

What is baby sign language?

Baby sign language allows parents to communicate with their pre-verbal babies. When babies reach 8 months of age, they are usually aware of their feelings, needs, and wants, but they lack the ability to express them through words. This is where baby sign language comes in handy. Parents can use hand gestures to communicate with their babies and comprehend their needs, wants, and emotions better. This strengthens the bond between the parent and the baby and also aids in the baby’s cognitive and language development.

Benefits of Baby Sign Language

Baby sign language involves using simple gestures or signs to communicate with infants before they are able to speak. This practice has gained popularity for several reasons, and its benefits include:

1. Early Communication: Baby sign language helps infants communicate before they can speak, reducing frustration for both baby and caregiver.
2. Reduced Frustration: Babies often experience frustration when they cannot express themselves verbally. Teaching them sign language gives them a way to communicate, potentially reducing tantrums and meltdowns.
3. Improved Bonding: Signing involves close interaction between caregivers and babies. This shared activity can strengthen the bond between parents or caregivers and the infant.
4. Improved Language Development: Some studies suggest that babies exposed to sign language may develop spoken language skills more quickly. Signs can help babies comprehend language and develop verbal communication.
5. Boosted Cognitive Development: Learning sign language involves comprehending symbols and associating them with meanings. This cognitive exercise can contribute to overall brain development in infants.
6. Increased Parental Confidence: Responsive caregivers feel more confident in their parenting abilities, creating a positive feedback loop.
7. Early Insight into Baby’s Needs: By comprehending a baby’s signed gestures, caregivers can gain early wisdom into the baby’s needs, such as hunger, fatigue, or discomfort.
8. Promotes Observation Skills: Both caregivers and babies need to pay attention to each other’s gestures in order to communicate effectively through sign language. This promotes the development of observation skills in both parties.
9. Encourages Positive Reinforcement: When caregivers respond to a baby’s signs appropriately, it reinforces the idea that communication is effective, encouraging the baby to continue using signs.
10. Useful for Special Needs Children: Baby sign language can be especially beneficial for children with speech or communication delays or those with certain developmental challenges, providing them with an alternative means of expression.

It is essential to keep in mind that although there is evidence to support the benefits of baby sign language, individual experiences may differ. Furthermore, it is crucial to be consistent and patient when introducing baby sign language, since it may take some time for infants to comprehend and use the signs accurately and regularly.

If you teach your baby sign language:

• They can express their demands, such as changing diapers, asking for milk, and reading books.
• The period between 8 months and 2 years can be easily overcome even if they cannot verbalize what they want and need.
• It creates a strong foundation for itself in literacy.
• He/she becomes less restless because he/she can express his/her feelings and wishes.
• They can speak more quickly and have a larger vocabulary.
• Thanks to meaningful hand movements, the brain can perceive a new word more easily.
• Before the age of 2, they can form longer sentences.
• They may have higher IQ values. How can you improve your baby’s intelligence?
• They can start reading earlier.
• He throws tantrums less often.
• Becomes more socially prominent.
• He worries less.
• Has the opportunity to bond with the mother.
• Since he/she can show his/her emotions through actions, he/she can control his/her actions in the face of the expectations of his/her elders.

What should I consider when teaching my baby?

• Have realistic expectations!: You can start teaching sign language to your baby at any age, but most babies will begin to respond to signs around the 8th-month mark.
• Start Early: Introduce your child to sign language around 6-9 months as it’s when they develop motor skills to make basic gestures.
• Be Consistent: Use the same signs consistently in your interactions with your child. Consistency helps reinforce the association between the sign and its meaning.
• Keep it Simple: Start with a few basic signs that are relevant to your child’s daily routine and needs, such as “milk,” “more,” “eat,” “drink,” “sleep,” and “play.”
• Model the Signs: Demonstrate the signs to your child while saying the corresponding word aloud. This helps your child connect the sign with its meaning.
• Be Patient: It may take some time for your child to comprehending and imitate the signs. Be patient and give them plenty of opportunities to practice.
• Encourage Imitation: Encourage your child to imitate the signs by signing alongside them during everyday activities. Praise their efforts and respond positively when they attempt to sign.
• Make it Fun: Incorporate signing into fun and engaging activities, such as singing songs with accompanying signs or using sign language during playtime.
• Be Responsive: Pay close attention to your child’s attempts to communicate through signing and respond promptly to their needs and requests.
• Include Caregivers: Encourage other caregivers, such as family members and childcare providers, to use signs consistently with your child to reinforce learning across different environments.
• Respect Your Child’s Pace: Every child learns at their own pace, so be mindful not to pressure your child or expect them to get signs overnight. Allow them to progress at their own speed.
• Stay Positive: Maintain a positive and supportive attitude throughout the learning process. Celebrate your child’s progress and achievements, no matter how small.

Watch and Read!

• Symbolic gesture versus word: is there a modality advantage for onset of symbol use?
• Baby hands that move to the rhythm of language: hearing babies acquiring sign languages babble silently on the hands
• “Baby Signs: How to Talk with Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk” by Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn

FAQ

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